Intel processor
Core Ultra 7 265K
20 cores and 20 threads, released in 2024, at index 84 on our scale - 11 of 39 processors tracked here. Paired with the fastest card we track and 32 GB of memory, it is still the part that runs out first in 12 of 19 games.
Performance index
84 of 100
Cores / threads
20/20
Limits the rig in
12 of 19 games
With the ceiling removed
Every row below pairs the Core Ultra 7 265K with the GeForce RTX 5090 and 32 GB of memory. Where the verdict still stops short, this processor is the reason.
| Game | Verdict | Held back by | Game page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto VI | Runs well (of high) | processor | open ↗ |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Baldur's Gate 3 | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
| Elden Ring | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
| Counter-Strike 2 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Alan Wake 2 | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Starfield | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Black Myth: Wukong | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Hogwarts Legacy | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Fortnite | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Helldivers 2 | Runs well | nothing | open ↗ |
| Grand Theft Auto V | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
| Monster Hunter Wilds | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Marvel Rivals | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Apex Legends | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Forza Horizon 5 | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
| Palworld | Runs at high (of ultra) | processor | open ↗ |
| Destiny 2 | Runs at ultra | nothing | open ↗ |
What to pair it with
The GeForce RTX 5090 at index 100 is the closest match in our catalogue. Anything much faster spends its time waiting for this processor in the games above.
Questions
- Is the Core Ultra 7 265K fast enough for modern games?
- At index 84 it ranks 11 of the 39 processors we track. Paired with the fastest card in our catalogue it still becomes the limiting part in 12 of 19 games, and clears every tier defined in 7.
- What graphics card should go with a Core Ultra 7 265K?
- Roughly index 100: the GeForce RTX 5090 is the closest match we track. A much faster card would spend most of its time waiting for this processor.